NEW BUSINESS  14.

COMMITTEE MEMORANDUM

KEY INTENDED OUTCOME:
Strengthen Internal Controls To Achieve More Accountability

HISTORY:

At the request of the City Manager, a task force comprised of City employees was asked to conduct a comprehensive review of the Business Tax Receipt (BTR) process to determine the efficacy and efficiency of the process for City customers. The thorough review found that, over time, various unrelated actions have been added to the BTR processes resulting in significant delays in the issuance of BTRs. One of the actions that has led to confusion and unexpected delays was the City’s effort to promote emergency evacuation registration among the City’s elder residents as memorialized in Resolution 2018-30261.

ANALYSIS:

While well intentioned, the recommendation to amend the BTR process to promote evacuation registration among elder residents created confusion and unanticipated delays which resulted in non-compliance or delayed non-compliance by a significant number of properties that encountered challenges and apprehension in their attempt to be compliant. Many property owners expressed hesitation and concern regarding inquiring about the age of their tenants and the possible conflict with Fair Housing standards which establish guidelines to ensure that you are not discriminating against renters or buyers because of age, among other factors. Other properties were unsure as to how to communicate information about the EEAP program to their tenants as some provided flyers to all tenants and others simply posted the City flyer provided in the BTR correspondence in their building’s common area.

As of November 8, 2018, 275 Apartments and 234 Condos were noncompliant in their application for the Business Tax Receipt.

Due to the unexpected delays and the minimal benefits yielded, the Administration recommends repealing those portions of the Resolution that address the BRT process as staff evaluates a more effective (and less confusing) strategy to encourage EEAP registration among our elderly residents.

CONCLUSION:

The Administration encourages repealing certain portions of Resolution 2018-30261 requiring residential buildings with 51% of its tenants aged 62 and older to submit evidence that they have encouraged tenants to register for the Emergency and Evacuation Assistance Program prior to the issuance of the Business Tax Receipt.